Multiple mottler



y 1952 P. P. PASTORET 2,595,536

I MULTIPLE MOTTLER Filed June 10, 1948 uw Pier/"e P Pas foret 15 F 4- Th-Eunn% Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE MOTTLEB.

Pierre P. Pastoret, St. Paul, Minn.

Application June 10, 1948, Serial No. 32,132

1 Claim. 1

My invention relates to an improvement in multiple mottler wherein it is desired to provide a device capable of producing unusual design effects upon a painted surface or the like.

Various types of devices have been used for producing graining effects on painted surfaces. Some of these devices have employed spaced rubber teeth or similar structure capable of producing spaced streaks in a freshly painted surface. While these devices have been found useful for their intended purpose, the designs which may be produced with these devices are relatively limited. A device capable of producing considerably more variation in design is therefore advantageous.

The object of the present invention lies in the provision of a means of producing unusual design effects in a glaze coating applied over a painted surface. By properly manipulating the device the desired effect may be obtained and this effect may vary from a streaked or grained appearance to a design in which the background appears to represent matted reeds or grasses. Infinitely more effects may be obtained with my device than with the somewhat similar devices previously made.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a handle of asize to be conveniently held in the hand andin the provision of a series of generally parallel resilient strips anchored to this handle. The free edges of the strips are irregularly cut or slit along lines which are generally perpendicular to the cut edge, but which may vary in angle to some extent. Thus the resilient strips are divided into a series of consecutive teeth which are continuous in form and which are not spaced longitudinally.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a design forming device having a series of flexible strips projecting from one surface thereof, each of said strips being divided into teeth by cut lines extending substantially normally to the free edge of the strips. The width of the teeth varies so that certain of the teeth resist flexing to a greater extent than others. Furthermore, some of the teeth are wider at their base than others having a similar length of free edge, thereby permitting an uneven flexing of the teeth in operation. As a result the designs which are formed are extremely unusual in appearance and extremely attractive designs may be produced even by a person relatively inexperienced in the operation of the device,

A feature of the present invention lies in forming the designs in a glaze coat overlying a painted surface or the like. The glaze is first applied over the painted surface and is of either a contrasting color or contrasting shade. By manipulating my design forming device upon the glaze surface before the same has dried and by following a generally similar pattern of movement in operation of the device a design may be formed which is unusual in character and attractive to the eye.

A feature of the present invention lies in the formation of my design forming applicator by producing a handle block of approximately the desired dimension and by forming this block with a series of parallel grooves inwhich an edge of each resilient strip may be anchored. The exposed edge of the strip is cut or slit along lines which extend from the free edge of each strip to the surface of the block and the slits are preferably unevenly spaced and are arranged at somewhat different angles so that the desired effect may result.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claim.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my multiple mottler showing the manner in which it may be used.

Figure 2 is an elevation view of my mottler with the teeth thereof uppermost.

Figure 3 is a-plan view of the mottler showing the side of the applicator from which the resilient ribs project.

Figure 4 is an end elevation view of the mottler.

The mottler A comprises a handle block l0 which is shown as being rectangular when viewed from the top and which may have beveled ends II and [2 as best illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. This handle block it is formed of wood, plastic or any suitable material.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that the top surface l3 of the block I0 is of some what smaller dimension than the bottom surface M thereof due to the tapered end construction, thus allowing the tool to be used in an inside corner where two flat walls of .panels adjoin.

As best illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings a plurality of parallel saw cuts or grooves l5 are provided in the undersurface I 4 of the body I9 extending longitudinally of the body. A series of flexible resilient strips I6 are' anchored in the grooves l5 so that the larger portion of the strips l6 are exposed. The exposed portions of the strips are longitudinally divided by a series of cuts or slits ll, thus forming a plurality of teeth 19. When the teeth I9 are in alignment, the strips 16 are continuous throughout their length. However, in use the exposed portions of the strip forming the teeth 19 flex laterally from the surface 14 and move out of alignment to form the desired design.

As illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings the teeth 19 are not identical in shape or in size. The slits [9 are unevenly spaced and are either normal to the free edge of the strip or at a slight angle to the perpendicular. Thus some of the teeth l9 are wider at their base than at their free edges, while others of the strips are wider at their free edges than at their bases. As a result some teeth tend to flex more easily than others and the teeth do not maintain a continuous line, thus producing unusual effects not normally available with devices of other types.

I have found that if a coat of glaze is applied to a painted surface and my mottler A is used to change the appearance of the coat of glaze, more unusual effects may be obtained. By moving the mottler in a predetermined path while main taining a constant pressure against the handle one effect may be obtained. By increasing the pressure as the handle is moved an entirely different effect will be obtained. While decreasing the pressure during movement a third design may be formed. This is true because of the individual flexing of the various teeth.

Because of the fact that the teeth are separated by merely a out line or slit and are not spaced apart, an endwise movement of the mottler simultaneously with a twisting movement tends to cause the forward edges of the teeth to move out of alignment with the rear edges thereof to produce an entirely different effect from that produced by a sideward movement of the handle. Thus virtually any different movement of the handle produces a different appearanc in the finished design.

Odd effects may also be obtained by flexing the teeth in one direction and then moving the handle so that the free ends of the teeth are forwardly from the anchored ends in the movement thereof. The teeth then produce a scraping action which tends to produce a novel effect. If the pressure on the handle is correct, each tooth may act somewhat as a squeegee to produce a ribbed effect which is also extremely unusual.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my multiple mottler and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claim without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1 claim:

A design forming device for use in decoratin painted surfaces, the device including a handle having a series of laterally spaced grooves therein, a resilient strip in each of said grooves, one longitudinal edge of each strip being anchored in the groove and the other edge forming a free edge, each strip having unevenly spaced slits forming a plurality of teeth adjacent its free edge.

PIERRE P. PASTORET.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 206,625 Sidmore July 30, 1878 1,526,267 Dessau Feb. 10, 1925 1,936,174 Renschin Nov. 21, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 246,224 Switzerland Sept. 16, 1947 

